|
The name 'China' is believed to have been derived from the Qin dynasty. The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty Qin Shi Huang, who lived from 260-210 BC, unified China in 221 BC. This Imperial period lasted until 1912 A.D.
|
|
The Chinese civilization is believed to have begun in about 6000 B.C.
|
|
The Chinese language is the longest continuously used language in the world.
|
|
Chinese culture considers the number '4' to be bad luck, unlike in the Western part of the world that considers '13' to be unlucky. Chinese elevators do not have the number '4'.
|
|
Chinese culture considers the number '8' to be lucky.
|
|
Traditional Chinese culture includes a variety of festivals including Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, Ching Ming and Ghost Festival Month, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Moon Festival, the Festival of the Gun Hills, and the Chau Bun Festival.
|
|
Chinese New Year has been a traditional Chinese Festival for more than 4000 years. It is meant to end the winter season and mark the beginning of spring. Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar. The Lunar Calendar can begin at the end of January or beginning of February and ends with the first full moon - 15 days later.
|
|
In Chinese culture the Chinese Zodiac determines what animal an individual is, depending on the year one is born. There are 12 animals, each one meant to determine a person's destiny.
|
|
In Chinese culture there are 5 elements that are meant to determine a person's luck. These include wood, fire, earth, water, and metal.
|
|
In Chinese culture food is important and it changes depending on the region in China that one lives. It can be light and subtle (Northern China), to hot and spicy (Western China), spicy and sweet (Central China), subtle flavors and seafood and soups, rice and noodles (Eastern China), Cantonese food such as ginger and soy dishes (Southern China).
|
|
China's most famous philosopher was Confucius (551 to 479 B.C.) whose teachings have been used to set a moral code and religious code.
|
|
Chinese culture determined that two basic energies - Yin and Yang - must be in balance for good fortune. Yin and Yang is the core of many Chinese customs including medicine, Feng Shui, and Taoism.
|
